The Scorpions' Walter Restreppo tries to get past Tampa Bay's Frankie Sanfilippo during first-half action Saturday night at Toyota Field in the Rowdies' 1-0 win.

The Scorpions' Walter Restreppo tries to get past Tampa Bay's Frankie Sanfilippo during first-half action Saturday night at Toyota Field in the Rowdies' 1-0 win.

Photo: Photos By Robin Jerstad / For The Express-News

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Richard Menjivar (right) of the Scorpions and Tampa Bay's Darel Russell fight for control of the ball. San Antonio fell to 2-0-2 on the spring season.

Richard Menjivar (right) of the Scorpions and Tampa Bay's Darel Russell fight for control of the ball. San Antonio fell to 2-0-2 on the spring season.

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Scorpions can't come up with the right touch

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SAN ANTONIO — A step late, a key touch lacking. Such was the Scorpions' fate Saturday at Toyota Field, where they controlled play but were unable to avert a 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay that dropped them back into the pack in the NASL spring standings.

The lone goal came on a seeing-eye roller from Shane Hill that trickled through a thicket of legs and past diving Scorpions keeper David Bingham in the 51st minute.

It was Tampa Bay's only shot on goal, and it never would have stood without a match-winning performance from Tampa Bay keeper Matt Pickens, who was alert throughout to turn back a handful of dangerous Scorpions opportunities.

Pickens denied Shaun Saiko's header to the far post with a sprawling save. He followed with a hockey-style kick save to disrupt Walter Restrepo's square pass after the Scorpions attacker broke free down the right flank.

Then came two instances, in the 67th and 73rd, where he dashed off his line to smother attempts by the streaking Sainey Touray.

Tampa Bay's defense was shredded on several of those chances. But the Rowdies came through in first-half stoppage time, recovering just in time to break up a dangerous give-and-go between Restrepo and Jonathan Borrajo.

Not even Tampa Bay's lone goal was as promising as any of those opportunities. But, unlike their 1-0 win last week at New York, in which they capitalized on their one chance, the Scorpions were unable to take advantage of any, even after former team member Blake Wagner was sent off with his second yellow card in the 78th.

And that doesn't account for the numerous other possessions deep in Tampa Bay territory because the Scorpions were unable to unlock the defense with the decisive touch.

The Scorpions dropped to 2-0-2 — one of four teams tied for third place with six points but six behind first-place Minnesota.